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Celebrating Dr. King, his dream

Programs are planned across the county for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and leaders stress that they're open to all.

By EBONY WINDOM
Published January 14, 2006

For some, Monday offers a break from work or school.

But it's also a time to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the slain civil rights leader who made a tremendous impact on American history.

Across the nation, public schools, government buildings and banks will be closed Monday.

It's a national holiday in honor of King, who was actually born Jan. 15, 1929. In 1986, then-President Ronald Reagan declared the third Monday in January a federal holiday.

In Pasco County, a few local groups are planning special tributes to King.

"The young people need to know what Dr. King went through to get us to where we are today," said Vivian Lockett-Prescott of the African-American Club of West Pasco Inc., which is planning a King tribute at Sims Park. "We must keep going. Things that (King) started years ago, we must continue."

And events like the one planned for Monday help keep King's memory alive, she said.

On Monday, people will gather at Sims Park in New Port Richey for live reggae music, dancing, games and a speech.

The Rev. Willie Matheney of New Port Richey will offer words of inspiration. He is a retired assistant principal who leads Eastlake Church of God in Christ in Tarpon Springs.

At Sims Park, a lively four-piece band called Paris and the Birds of Paradise will offer tropical tunes and popular reggae covers at 11:30 a.m.

On the east side of the county, there will be two Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs:

A Dade City church, Mount Zion AME, will host a special event at 11 a.m. Monday.

And Saint Leo University will feature a special guest, Joe Rogers, who heads the Dream Alive Program, based in Colorado, at noon on Monday. Rogers, a former Colorado lieutenant governor, uses the program to pay tribute to King year-round. Rogers offers a "unique and positive blend of inspiration, history, motivation and education," according to his Web site, www.dreamalive.org The Saint Leo University Gospel and Multi-Cultural Choir is set to perform, too.

And in keeping with King's legacy, organizers of each event stress that the programs are open to everyone, regardless of race.

"We need to expand our horizons," said Eugene Scott, vice president of the African-American Club of West Pasco. "To understand our differences, we need to interact with other cultures. ... We're all human."

The African-American Club of West Pasco Inc. will host a celebration in honor of Dr. King called "Keeping the Dream a Reality." The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and will include live music, games, dance and a motivational speech by the Rev. Willie Matheney of New Port Richey. The event, held at Sims Park, 6341 Bank St. in New Port Richey, is free and open to the public. Snacks will be sold. Call (727) 819-3367.

The East Pasco County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee will present a commemorative program called "Keeping the Dream Alive!" at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Zion AME Church, 14440 Seventh St. in Dade City. Call (352) 567-3696.

Saint Leo University will feature a special guest speaker, Joe Rogers of the Dream Alive Program, at noon on Monday at the McDonald Center Dining Hall, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo. Lunch will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Call (352) 588-8489.

[Last modified January 14, 2006, 01:39:15]